Cocaine, Tranquilizers, and Sleeping Pills Found in Alexander McQueen’s Blood

British coroner Paul Knapman found "significant level of cocaine," sleeping pills, and tranquilizers in blood samples taken from Alexander McQueen, who was found hanged in his London apartment on February 11. He added that McQueen "killed himself while the balance of his mind was disturbed."

Speaking to about 30 people in London, including McQueen's close friends and family, Knapman said the designer was under pressure from work and grieving for his mother, whose funeral was the day after his body was found. McQueen "had a history of self-harm and, no doubt fueled by cocaine, he resorted to desperate measures to end his life," Knapman added.

The suicide note McQueen left in his London apartment was written on the back of the book The Descent of Man. It included instructions for his burial, and ended, "Please look after my dogs. Sorry, I love you. Lee.”

McQueen's psychiatrist, Dr. Stephen Pereira, said he diagnosed the designer with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, and revealed McQueen had twice previously attempted to take his own life. He overdosed twice in 2009, instances described as "cries for help."